Dive Alert Air Horns ???

[DI_Guy]

I just bought a dive alert air horn for signaling below the surface. It's designed to go between the LP hose and the BCD LP inflator.

Anyone use these devices and how much air does it use ?

Does it restrict the BCD inflow filling ?

Should I put it on its own LP Hose ?

The one I bought is the Hammer Head mini (I imagine that they are all the same)

 

[RPanick]

To be honest with you, I've never had a reason to use mine. So I guess the answer is it doesn't use any. I do know that they are plenty loud, so you won't be tempted to use it all that often.

As to air flow to the inflator, I haven't noticed any issues, and I have a sub-duc on mine as well most of the time. Now the sub-duc does get used, mostly with classes. Its also really great for annoying people, so you have to be a bit careful with using it too much.

Bob

 

[miketsp]

I just bought a dive alert air horn for signaling below the surface. It's designed to go between the LP hose and the BCD LP inflator.

Anyone use these devices and how much air does it use ?

Does it restrict the BCD inflow filling ?

Should I put it on its own LP Hose ?

The one I bought is the Hammer Head mini (I imagine that they are all the same)

There are 3 types:
1) only for use at the surface
2) only for use underwater
3) function both at the surface and underwater.
I use the 1st.
I never really noticed how much air it uses - it's very little, but this should not be a concern. These devices are supposed to be for emergency use only.
Unfortunately most of the divers that I know that use the underwater versions are real PITAs and even use them to call attention to nice looking sponges!

As you yourself said, they are designed to go between the hose and the BC inflator.
I never noticed any change to BC fill rate. They do not need their own hose nor would this be recommended.

 

[RICHinNC]

I have the divealert...and it is for above water...and i have used it when the dive boat lost sight of us on a drift dive....he would never have found us other wise.....

there is a diff underwater one...own that too....never use it.

 

[Michael Schlink]

I have had one for several years and have used it on occasion. First it doesn't restrict the air enough that you will notice. You do not need to put it on it's own LP hose. You should find a place where you can play with it a couple of times. In my case I am able to push it lightly and quickly to get a moderate "chirp" out of it to get the chase boat drivers attention whereas a full and long push on the button will send out quite a loud and penetrating squeal.-M

 

[DI_Guy]

Thanks guys for your comments... I agree I will not use it much except in a case of dire emergency. (it could be annoying otherwise)

The HammerHead Mini is for use above and below the surface. I'll give it a try next time I'm diving.

Cheers

 

[DandyDon]

I've got mu Dive Alert on the BC inflator. I have used it as a chirpper, like Michael suggested, but used it fully once to get the attention of a far away boat. You really want to duck your head in the water when you do that! LOUD!

I have a sub-duc on mine as well most of the time. Now the sub-duc does get used, mostly with classes. Its also really great for annoying people, so you have to be a bit careful with using it too much.

Great for classes, but hate them on ocean dives.

 

[Charlie99]

Thanks guys for your comments... I agree I will not use it much except in a case of dire emergency. (it could be annoying otherwise)

The HammerHead Mini is for use above and below the surface. I'll give it a try next time I'm diving.

Cheers

Don't count on the Hammerhead Mini being of much use above water. The Dive Alert is much, much, louder than the Hammerhead.

 

[lairdb]

I've got mu Dive Alert on the BC inflator. I have used it as a chirpper, like Michael suggested, but used it fully once to get the attention of a far away boat. You really want to duck your head in the water when you do that! LOUD!

What DandyDon said. You will someday startle the bejeezus out of everyone within a quarter mile by bumping the button accidentally (e.g. when climbing back onto the boat.) Even this chirp is freaking loud. Some folks choose to keep their Dive Alert in a pocket rather than in-place, to reduce clutter and avoid accidental chirps, but on consideration I decided to leave it in place. The last thing I want is to be sliding down the wall of an incident pit and have to fish it out and go through the install ritual.

 

[Charlie99]

People that have heard a DiveAlert before will sometimes freak out as I go to push the button on the boat.

I give it a blast to blow out any water after my last dive of the day. The trick, though, is that putting your finger into the throat of the whistle keeps it from resonating and all you get is a little shhhhh of air.

------

The one time I had to use my Dive Alert was in Cozumel. Just the DM and I were about 1/3 mile downcurrent from the boat, which was going back and forth in a search pattern. The DM couldn't get the boat's attention by waving his fluorescent green fins, nor by slapping them on the water. When I held up my DiveAlert he vigorously nodded yes and stuck his head underwater. The divers on the boat said the it was a "god-awful screech" that they could easily hear over the engine noise.


The Hammerhead, OTOH, is just a hammer hitting a diaphram and isn't even as loud as a norml lung-powered whistle.